Suspect 'didn't try to kill' teacher
Source: Agencies |
July 5, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A JAPANESE man admitted in court yesterday to raping and strangling a young British woman, but the man who attempted cosmetic surgery on his own face to evade a nationwide manhunt said he never meant to kill the 22-year-old.
Tatsuya Ichihashi is charged with murdering English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker at his apartment in 2007. The case became one of Japan's highest-profile murders after Hawker's body was found in a dirt-filled bathtub on the balcony of Ichihashi's apartment.
At the opening of his trial yesterday, he said he raped Hawker and caused her death.
"I did not intend to kill her, but I am responsible for her death," Ichihashi told the court as Hawker's father looked on impassively. "I am very sorry for what I did."
The victim's parents, who flew to Tokyo for the trial, left yesterday's court session without commenting to reporters.
Hawker, of Brandon, England, was in Japan to teach English. She worked as an instructor at a language school and agreed to give Ichihashi a private lesson on the side.
After the lesson, Ichihashi persuaded Hawker to go back to his apartment, where the crimes occurred. He went on the run after police found her body, at one point fleeing past officers as they questioned his neighbors.
Ichihashi evaded police for more than two years despite a national manhunt and a huge reward for information leading to his capture.
Ichihashi could face execution if he's convicted.
Tatsuya Ichihashi is charged with murdering English teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker at his apartment in 2007. The case became one of Japan's highest-profile murders after Hawker's body was found in a dirt-filled bathtub on the balcony of Ichihashi's apartment.
At the opening of his trial yesterday, he said he raped Hawker and caused her death.
"I did not intend to kill her, but I am responsible for her death," Ichihashi told the court as Hawker's father looked on impassively. "I am very sorry for what I did."
The victim's parents, who flew to Tokyo for the trial, left yesterday's court session without commenting to reporters.
Hawker, of Brandon, England, was in Japan to teach English. She worked as an instructor at a language school and agreed to give Ichihashi a private lesson on the side.
After the lesson, Ichihashi persuaded Hawker to go back to his apartment, where the crimes occurred. He went on the run after police found her body, at one point fleeing past officers as they questioned his neighbors.
Ichihashi evaded police for more than two years despite a national manhunt and a huge reward for information leading to his capture.
Ichihashi could face execution if he's convicted.
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